Sump pump



y 3, 1960 G. N. MILES 2,935,029

SUMP PUMP Filed July 5, 1957 IN V EN TOR.

GEORGE N. MILES F/G 2 838mm ATTORNEY United States Patent 9 F SUMP PUMP George N. Miles, Tenafly, N.J., assignor to Jet-Heat, Inc., Englewood, N..l., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 5, 1957, Serial No. 670,284

12 Claims. or. 103-272 operating the pump automatically upon change in liquid level in'the sump location. 7

The improved pump provided by the present invention is operated by permitting water under pressure to flow through a passage of gradually reduced cross sectional area such as a venturi throat thereby to reduce the pressure in this location and cause the liquid, in which the pump is immersed, to be educed into the'pump and discharged at the'desired location. In accordance with the invention there is provided pressure sensitive diaphragm means which is flexed in response to the pressure head of liquid surrounding the pump. This diaphragm flexing is used to start and stop the operation of the Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a new and useful sump pump which is automatically operated in response to change in the static pressure head of the liquid in which it is immersed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pump which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the specification. For a better understanding of the invention its operating advantages and specific results obtained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a transverse section of a pump constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line '2--2 of Figure l; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse section similar to Figure l, but showing the parts in the position they assume when the pump is operating.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention as embodied therein includes a thick hubbed-disc bodypiece having a central bore 12 into which is fitted a jet orifice piece 14. The hubbed part of the body piece 10 is provided with a plurality of angularly extending passages 16 which afiord communication from the exterior of the pump to the interior bore 12 of the body piece, at a location on the downstream side of the jet orifice piece 14.

The upper portion of the central bore 12 of the body "piece 10 is internally thre'aded to receive a connecting sleeve 18. The interior of the connecting sleeve l8 is 2,935,029 Patented May 3, 1960 provided with converging walls forming a venturi throat section 19. The sleeve 18 extends upwardly into the interior of a discharge pipe 20, which is held in liquid tight communicaiton with the central bore 12 of the body piece 10 by means of a sleeve coupling 22. A collar 24 is suitably fitted around the discharge pipe 20 and holds a cylindrical screen 26 between it and the upper face of the body piece 10, arranged to prevent dirt from entering the pump through the radial passages 16.

One side of the body piece 10 is formed into a raised boss 27 having an internally threaded bore 28 provided to receive an actuating liquid connection coupling 29 of a pipe or hose 30, such as a garden hose for temporary use, or a copper tube for a permanent connection. Water discharged under pressure from the hose 30 into the side bore 27 of the boss portion of the body piece 10 is directed through an angularly extending passage 32 which communicates with an annular cavity 34 formed on the underside of the body piece 10. When the pump is operating (see Figure 3), the liquid discharged from the hose 30 passes from the cavity 34 around a bottom lip 36 of the body piece 10, and upwardly through the bore 12, the orifice 14, the venturi throat section 1 and the discharge pipe 20. The forcing of this liquid from the jet orifice 14 through the venturi throat section 19 produces a reduced pressure condition in the throat section and causes the liquid in which the pump is immersed to be brought through the passage 16 and discharged along with the liquid from the hose 30 upwardly through the discharge pipe 20.

In accordance with the "invention the flow of liquid 1 through the hose 30, from the cavity 34 into the bore 12,

is controlled by mechanism which is positioned in response to the pressure head of the liquid in which the pump is immersed. A flexible diaphragm 38 of a material such as metal or stiff rubber is fitted against the bottom face of the body piece 10 and seals the liquid from the hose 30 in the cavity 34, and prevents its flow around the lip 36 into the bore 12 when the pump is not operating. On the underside of the flexible diaphragm 38 is fitted a cup-shaped element 40. When not operating (Figures 1 and 2), pressure is equalized between the cavity 34 and a control chamber 42, formed between the cup-shaped member 40 and the diaphragm 38, by a bleed connection 44. This pressure equalization is aided by a leaf spring (mentioned hereinafter) and effects holding of the diaphragm 38 flush against the bottom face of the body piece 10 to close off the cavity 34.

The diaphragm 38 is fitted at its center with a vertically elongated needle valve or. restrictor 46, which extends upwardly into the jet orifice 14 to substantially restrict the flow through the latter when the diaphragm is in a closed position (Figure 1). The needle restrictor 46 is provided at its bottom end with a wide spherical segment collar 48 which fits against the underside of the flexible diaphragm 38 and rests on a flexible metal leaf spring 50. The leaf spring 50 is of a size and strength to maintain the diaphragm 38 closed at all times when the pressure in the cavity 34 is below 20 pounds per square inch gauge. The pump is prevented from operating at an actuating liquid pressure of less than 20 pounds per square inch because its aspirating pumping action is not sufiicient at such a low pressure.

Peripheral edges of the leaf spring 50 rest on ledges 52 of the cup shaped member 40. Since the needle restrictor 46 is aflixed to the diaphragm 38, it moves upwardly and downwardly into the discharge opening of the orifice 14 in conjunction with the movement of the diaphragm. The purpose of the needle valve 46 is to provide a gradual reduction of water-flow. through the the spacer ring 56, and a cup-shaped bottom closure 60 r is secured to the underside of the flexible diaphragm to provide protection for the diaphragm 58. A plurality of bolts 62 extend upwardly through suitable holes drilled in the bottom closure 60, spacer ring 56, gasket 54, cupshaped member 40, diaphragm 38, and body piece 18 to secure them in position. The cup-shaped member 40, the spacer ring 56, and the flexible diaphragm 58 define a reference pressure chamber 64 which is vented to atmosphere by a small diameter pipe 66, which extends upwardly and is fastened to the discharge pipe 20 at a loca tion normally substantially above the maximum expected water level which would surround the pump. The underside of the diaphragm 58 and the top of the cupshaped bottom closure 60 defines a compartment 68 which is normally filled with water to be pumped and is subjected to the pressure head of such water. The compartment 68 communicates with the outside of the pump and the water in which it is immersed through openings 70 provided in the bottom closure 60. It is evident that the underside of the diaphragm effectively is exposed to the ambient pressure surrounding the pump, so that when the pump is submerged, the diaphragm is subjected to the liquid head pressure.

Mounted in suitable central openings in the cup-shaped element 40 and the flexible diaphragm 58 is a mounting cylinder 72 for a valve assembly 74. The valve assembly 74 includes a valve head 76 which is biased against its seat by a compression spring 78 so as normally to close a central passage 80 in the valve element 74 which communicates with the compartment 42 and the com partment 68. The valve head 76 is connected to a valve stem 82 which is maintained in contact with a U-shaped metal strip '84. The U-shaped metal strip 84 is riveted to the diaphragm 58 as at 86, 86, and it will normally move with the flexing of the diaphragm 53 in accordance with differences in pressures in the compartments 64 and 68. The movement is a snap movement upwardly completely lifting the valve 76 off its seat, because the movement of the diaphragm 58 is a complete flexing up or down.

The operation of the pump is as follows: the pump is connected through a hose 30 to a source of liquid under pressure. The pump is then immersed in a liquid to be pumped. The pump parts are previously set so that the pump will operate when there is suflicient head of water to be pumped surrounding the pump, and communicated through the opening 70 to the compartment 68, to flex the diaphragm 58 upwardly together with the U-shaped strip 84. The upward movement of the strip 84 which is in contact with the stem 82, lifts the valve off its seat. In short, the diaphragm 58 and valve assembly 74 together provide a pressure-sensitive valving mechanism for opening and closing the outlet from the control chamber 42. When the valve 76 is thus opened, pressure is relieved in the compartment 42 and the underside of the flexible diaphragm 38, so that the flexible diaphragm 38 bends downwardly (see Figure 3). The downwardly flexing of diaphragm 38 permits flow of pressurized liquid from the cavity 34, around the lip 36 and into the bore 12 of the body piece 10. Hence, it is seen that the diaphragm 3S cooperates with the lip 36 to function as a pressuresensitive valving mechanism for controlling the flow of pumping liquid. The needle valve 46 attached to the diaphragm 38 is moved downwardly with the diaphragm 38 against the metal leaf spring 50 to fully open the jet orifice 14. Flow of the pressurized liquid from the hose 30 upwardly through the jet orifice 14 and through the 4 Venturi throat section 19, reduces the pressure at the inlet of the Venturi throat section, and causes liquid surrounding the pump to flow through the screen 26 and the radial passages 16, and out through the sleeve 18 and the discharge pipe 20, along with the pressurized liquid. When the liquid level surrounding the pump falls a considerable degree the pressure in the compartment 68 will fall and the diaphragm 58 and the U-shaped strip 84 will move downwardly permitting the valve 76 to seat under the urging of the spring 78. This will result in the equalization of the pressure in the cavity 34 with that of the compartment 42 again, and cause the needle valve 46 gradually to restrict the jet orifice 14, and then cause the diaphragm to seal the cavity 34 and prevent further pressurized liquid flow.

A pump constructed in accordance with this invention, when connected to a source of pressurized liquid, will 0perate completely automatically to keep a basement sump, a liquid tank or other locations free of liquid within controlled predetermined levels. The pump may be easily set to operate to start pumping and to stop pumping at any predetermined level in the surrounding sump. The pump is inexpensive and the parts are easy to manufacture. Once the pump has been installed in a low level sump in a basement for example, the area will be continuously kept free from undesirable flooding for many years of operation. Since the pump does not depend on electrical sources of energy, but only on liquid pressure,

.it will operate during power failures.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the appaare well suited to provide the advantages set forth and since many possible embodiments may be made of the various features of this invention and as the apparatus herein described may be varied in various parts, all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth as shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and that in certain instances, some of the features of the invention may be used without a corresponding use of other features, all without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The submersible pump operable from a source of liquid under pressure comprising a body piece having a central bore for flow of liquid under pressure and pumped liquid therethrough, a wall portion in said bore converging in the direction of liquid flow to an area of smaller cross section than said'bore, an inlet for pumped liquid communicating with said bore downstream of said wall portion, said body piece having an annular cavity outlined in the bottom face thereof, means for directing liquid under pressure to said cavity, a flexible diaphragm arranged against the bottom face of said bottom piece to close said bore and said cavity when the pump is not operating, means including said diaphragm defining a control chamber on the opposite sides of said diaphragm from said body piece and communicating with said cavity,

'said control chamber defining-means having an outlet opening therein, and pressure-responsive valving means including a second diaphragm, communicating with and normally closing said control chamber outlet and responsive to a decrease in the static head pressure adjacent to said pump for opening said control chamber outlet, thereby to relieve the liquid pressure in said control chamber and, hence, to relieve the actuating pressure holding said diaphragm against the bottom face of said bottom piece, whereby to permit flow of liquid under pressure from said cavity into said bore and to educe pumping liquid flow through said bore.

- 2. A submersible pump operable from a source of liquid under pressure comprising a body piece having a central bore for flow of liquid under pressure and pumped liquid therethrough, a wall portion in said bore converging in the direction of liquid flow to an area of smaller assume cross section than said bore, an inlet for pumped liquid communicating with said bore downstream of said wall portion, a Venturi passage having a portion of reduced cross-sectional area arranged in communication with the discharge end of said bore to receive liquid discharged from said wall portion and educed from said inlet, said body piece having an annular cavity outlined in the bottom face thereof, means for directing liquid under pressure to said cavity, a flexible diaphragm arranged against the bottom face of said bottom piece to close said bore and said cavity when the pump is not operating, means including said diaphragm defining a control chamber on the opposite side of said diaphragm from said body piece and communicating with said cavity, said control chamber defining-means having an outlet opening therein, and pressure-responsive valving means, including a second diaphragm, communicating with and normally closing said control chamber outlet and responsive to a decrease in the static head pressure adjacent to said pump for opening 'said control chamber outlet, thereby to relieve the liquid pressure in said control chamber, and hence, to relieve the actuating pressure holding said diaphragm against the bottom face of said bottom piece, whereby to permit flow of liquid under pressure from said cavity into said bore and to educe pumping liquid flow through said bore.

3. A submersible pump operable from a source of liquid under pressure comprising a body piece having a central bore for flow of liquid under pressure and pumped liquid therethrough, a wall portion in said bore converging in the direction of liquid fiow to an area of smaller cross'section than said bore, an inlet for pumped liquid communicating with said bore downstream of said wall portion, said body piece having an annular cavity out ined in the bottom face thereof, means for directing liquid under pressure to said cavity, a first flexible diaphragm arranged against the bottom face of said bottom piece to close off said bore from said cavity when the pump is not operating, means defining a compartment on the opposite side of said diaphragm from said body piece, valve means connecting said compartment to the liquid surrounding said pump, and means comprising a second diaphragm coupled to said valve means and responsive to the liquid level height surrounding said pump to open said valve means and reduce the pressure under said first diaphragm and move it away from said body piece whereby to permit flow of liquid under pressure from said caviy into said bore and to educe pumping liquid through said bore.

4. A submersible pump operable from a source of liquid under pressure comprising a body piece having a central bore for the fiow of liquid under pressure and pumped liquid therethrough, a wall portion in said bore converging in the direction of liquid flow to an area of smaller cross section than said bore, an in et for pumped liquid communicating with said bore downstream of said wall portion, said body piece having an annular cavity outlined in the bottom face thereof, means for directing liquid under pressure to said cavity, a first flexible diaphragm arranged against the bottom face of said body piece to close said bore and said cavity when the pump is not operating, said first means defining a control chamber on the opposite side of said first diaphragm from said body piece, said first means having an outlet opening therein for said control chamber, valve means normally closing said control chamber outlet, second means defining a reference pressure chamber vented to atmosphere, a second flexible diaphragm forming a wall of said reference chamber and exposed on the side away from said reference pressure chamber to the pressure of the liquid surrounding the pump and coupled to said valve means and being movable to open said valve means and reduce the pressure under said first diaphragm and move it away fromv said body piece whereby to permit flow of 6 liquid under pressure from said cavity into said bore'anii to educe pumping liquid flow through said bore.

5. A submersible pump operable from a source" of liquid under pressure comprising a body piece having a central bore for the flow of liquid under pressure and pumped liquid therethrough, an orifice in said bore, an inlet for ipumped liquid communicating with said bore downstream of said orifice, said body piece having an annular cavity outlined in the bottom face thereof, means for directing liquid under pressure to said cavity, a first flexible diaphragm arranged against the bottom face of said body piece to close said bore and said cavity when the pump is not operating, first means defining a control chamber on the opposite side of said first diaphragm from said body piece, said first means having an outlet opening therein for said control chamber,'valve means normally closing said control chamber outlet, second means defining a reference pressure chamber vented to atmosphere, a second flexible diaphragm forming a wall of said reference pressure chamber and exposed on the side away from said reference pressure chamber to the pressure of the liquid surrounding the pump and being coup-led to said valve means and being movable to open said valve means and reduce the pressure under said first diaphragm and move it away from said body piece whereby to permit flow of liquid under pressure from said cavity into said bore and to educe pumping liquid flow through said bore.

6. A submersible pump operable from a source of liquid under pressure comprising a body piece having a central bore for flow of liquid under pressure and pumped liquid therethrough, means defining an orifice in said bore, an inlet for pumped liquid communicating with said bore downstream of said orifice, said body piece having an annular cavity outlined in the bottom face thereof, means for directing liquid under pressure to said cavity, a first flexible diaphragm arranged against the bottom face of said body piece to close said bore and said cavity when the pump is not operating, a cup shaped disc arranged against the bottom portion of said flexible diaphragm and defining a control chamber on the underside of said diaphragm, said disc having an outlet opening therein for said control chamber, a bleed con,- nection between said cavity and said control chamber, valve means normally closing said outlet opening, and means comprising a second diaphragm coupled to said valve means and responsive to the liquid level surrounding said pump to open said valve means and reduce the pressure under said first diaphragm in said control chamber to cause said first diaphragm to move away from said body piece.

7. A submersible pump operable from a source of liquid under pressure comprising a body piece having a central bore for flow of liquid under pressure and pumped liquid therethrough, means defining an orifice in said bore, an inlet for pumped liquid communicating with said bore downstream of said orifice, a Venturi passage having a portion of reduced cross-sectional area arranged in communication with the discharge end of said central bore to receive liquid discharged from said orifice and educed from said inlet, said body piece having an annular cavity outlined in the bottom face thereof, means for directing liquid under pressure to said cavity, a first flexible diaphragm arranged against the bottom face of said body piece to close said bore and said cavity when'the pump is not operating, a cup shaped disc arranged against the bottom portion of said flexible diaphragm and defining a control chamber on the underside of said diaphragm, said disc having an outlet opening therein for said control chamber, a bleed connection between said cavity and said control chamber, valve means normally closing said outlet opening, and means comprising a second diaphragm coupled to said valve means and responsive to the liquid level surrounding said pump to open said valve means. and reduce the pressure under said diaphragm'in said control chamber to cause it to move away from said body piece.

' 8. In a submersible pump operable from a source of liquid under pressure, in combination, means defining a liquid inlet passage adapted to be connected to said source of liquid, means defining a liquid passage communicating with said inlet passage and having an area of reduced cross section, said last-named means having an opening therein downstream of said area and through which to draw liquid being pumped in response to liquid flow through said area, means including a first diaphragm defining a control chamber communicating with said liquid inlet passage, pressure-responsive valving means including said first diaphragm and responsive to liquid pressure in said control chamber for closing said liquid inlet passage, said control chamber defining-means having an outlet opening therein, and second pressure-responsive valving means, including a second diaphragm, communicating with and normally closing said control chamber outlet and responsive to a decrease in the static head pressure adjacent to said pump for opening said control chamber outlet, whereby to relieve the liquid pressure in said control chamber and thereby actuate said first valving means to open said liquid inlet passage.

9. In a submersible pump operable from a source of liquid under pressure, in combination, means defining a liquid inlet passage adapted to be connected to said source of liquid, means defining a liquid passage communicating with said inlet passage and having an area of reduced cross section, said last-named means having an opening therein downstream of said area through which to draw liquid being pumped in response to liquid flow through said area, means including a first diaphragm defining a control chamber communicating with said liquid inlet passage, pressure-responsive valving means including said first diaphragm and responsive to liquid pressure in said control chamber for closing said liquid inlet passage, said control chamber defining-means having an outlet opening therein, means including a second diaphragm defining a reference pressure chamber, one face of said second diaphragm being exposed in said reference pressure chamber, the opposite face of said second diaphragm being exposed to the liquid surrounding said pump when submerged, a conduit communicating between said reference pressure chamber and the atmosphere, and second pressure-responsive valving means, including said second diaphragm, normally closing said control chamber outlet and responsive to a decrease in the static head pressure of said liquid surrounding said pump for opening said control chamber outlet, whereby to relieve the liquid pressure in said control chamber and thereby actuate said first valving means to open said liquid supply line.

10. A submersible pump operable from a source of liquid under pressure comprising a body piece having a central bore for fiow of liquid under pressure and pumped liquid therethrough, a wall portion in said bore converging in the direction of liquid flow to an area of smaller crosssection than said bore, an inlet for pumped liquid communicating with said bore downstream of said wall portion, said body piece having an annular cavity outlined in the bottom face thereof, means for directing liquid under pressure to said cavity, a flexible diaphragm arranged against the bottom face of said bottom piece to close said bore and said cavity when the pump is not opcrating, means including said diaphragm defining a control chamber on the opposite side of said diaphragm from saidbody piece and in communication with said cavity, said control chamber defining-means having an outlet opening therein, means including a second diaphragm defining a reference pressure chamber, one face of said second diaphragm being exposed in said reference pressure chamber, the opposite face of said second diaphragm being exposed to the liquid surrounding said pump when submerged, a conduit communicating between said reference pressure chamber and the atmosphere, and pressure-responsive valving means including said second diaphragm normally closing said control chamber outlet and responsive to a decrease in the static head pressure of said liquid surrounding said pump for opening said control chamber outlet, whereby to relieve the liquid pressure in said control chamber and thereby actuate said first valving means to open said liquid supply line.

11. In a liquid-level-responsive valving device immersible in a liquid reservoir, for controlling liquid flow through said device in accordance with the liquid level in said reservoir, in combination, means defining a liquid inlet passage adapted to be connected to a source of liquid under pressure, means including a first diaphragm defining a control chamber communicating with said liquid inlet passage, first pressure-responsive valving means including said first diaphragm and responsive to liquid pressure in said control chamber for closing said liquid inlet passage, said control chamber defining-means having an outlet opening therein, and second pressure-responsive valving means, including a second diaphragm, communieating with and normally closing said control chamber outlet and responsive to a decrease in the static head pressure in said reservoir for opening said control chamber outlet, whereby to relieve the liquid pressure in said control chamber and thereby actuate said first valving means to open said liquid inlet passage.

12. In a liquid-level-responsive valving device immersible in a liquid reservoir, for controlling liquid flow through said device in accordance with the liquid level in said reservoir, in combination, means defining a liquid inlet passage adapted to be connected to a source of liquid under pressure, means including a first diaphragm defining a control chamber communicating with said liquid -inlet passage, first pressure-responsive valving means including said first diaphragm and responsive to liquid pressure in said control chamber for closing said liquid inlet passage, said control chamber defining-means having an outlet opening therein, means including a second diaphragm defining a reference pressure chamber, one face of said second diaphragm being exposed in said reference pressure chamber, the opposite face of said second diaphragm being exposed to the liquid surrounding said device when submerged, a conduit communicating between said reference pressure chamber and the atmosphere, and second pressure-responsive valving means, including said second diaphragm, normally closing said control chamber outlet and responsive to a decrease in the static head pressure in said reservoir for opening .said control chamber outlet, whereby to relieve the liquid pressure in said controlchamber and thereby actuates said first valving means to open said liquid supply line.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 346,792 White Aug. 3, 1886 346,967 White Aug. 10, 1886 2,457,388 Lung Dec. 28, 1948 

